Three Months Later
The time seemed to just fly by. It feels like it was just yesterday that Taylor and I first met, and I couldn’t be any happier.
Even as I stood in front of the full length mirror in this extravagant bathroom, I couldn’t seem to contain my radiant happiness. My hair was gracefully piled up on top of my head, I wore pearl earrings accompanied by a modest strand of pearls around my neck. My skin glowed warmly and my makeup was soft and lovely. I think I looked like an angel; all I needed was a shiny halo. I smiled to myself, looking down at the white satin high heels that adorned my feet.
“You look absolutely stunning,” mom whispered to me, emotion breaking through her voice. “You’re so gorgeous.”
“Thanks mom,” I said bashfully, turning slightly to look at her, noticing that her eyes were already red-rimmed. “Mom! It’s too early to start the water works!” I warned her. All the ladies within a five foot radius chuckled at me, giving me looks of admiration after. I was overwhelmed with joy, love, contentedness, and a never-ending gratefulness at having found my true love. But alongside those emotions were fear, anxiety, nerves, and the odd sensation to vomit all at once. I inhaled deeply through my nose.
“Everything’s gonna be alright, Rach,” Kendra reminded me, grabbing a hold of my hands and holding them firmly in hers. I didn’t realize my nerves were causing my hands to visibly shake. Looking into the warm and calming brown eyes of my maid of honor helped to steady my heart rate. She made deep breathing gestures with me, guiding me back to sanity. I smiled tentatively at her, not knowing what else to do. “You’re going to be fine, Rachel, she smiled reassuringly at me again. “It’ll all be over before you know it.”
“Thanks, Kendra,” I whispered. My shoulders started to shake despite the temperature being a comfortable 72 degrees.
“Where’s my babygirl?” I heard my father’s booming voice fill up the makeshift dressing room. All the ladies quieted their voices and turned their eyes to me, smiling like lovesick puppies. “Thanks guys,” I grudgingly muttered only loud enough for myself to hear. They totally ratted me out!
“You look amazing, sweetheart,” he told me when he came to stand in front of me, cupping my cheek. “Your heart’s beating faster than a jackrabbit’s!” he exclaimed, causing my cheeks to grow rosy.
“Leave the girl alone!” my mom chastened him. “This is all normal. It’ll all go away in about…” she glanced at the clock on the wall… “ten mintues.”
“Ten minutes?!” I exclaimed. I only had ten minutes until my life changed forever? Only ten minutes until I became someone else? Only ten minutes left of my old life as Rachel Brian? I started breathing in double time, trying not to sweat. Somehow, I felt the odd urge to cry hysterically.
“Yes, baby,” my mom said. “Don’t worry about a thing. Everything’s gonna be fine. Taylor is down there waiting for you.”
That’s all it took to make everything else disappear; nothing else mattered but him. My breathing instantly calmed and I shut my eyes as a rush of sweet, tender memories came rushing back to me behind my closed eyelids. When I opened my eyes again, I knew without a doubt that I could do this; I could do anything.
I’m going to marry the love of my life and we will be together (til death do us part).
“I’m ready,” I said, loud and clear. My mom smiled proudly at me.
“That’s my girl.”
I took one final glance at myself in the mirror, my sweetheart neckline dress with intricate, elegant beading and lace pattern was simple, yet exquisitely beautiful all the same. I felt beautiful.
